Schengen Visa at German consulate

I am an Indian national, working in the USA. Planning to visit Germany. Am actually looking for a Schengen visa than just a visa to Germany. I found info at http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/04__Legal/02__Directory__Services/01__Visa/__Tourist__Visa.html

But am not sure if applying to German Visa is same as applying for Schengen visa at the German Consulate. If its not, then how do I apply for a Schengen visa at the consulate.

Also, do I need to take the travel insurance even to apply for the visa ??

Germany is part of the Schengen Area. If you want to go to Germany as a tourist you need to apply for a Schengen visa at the German consulate.

Think of it this way: if you want to go to California you need a visa to the USA, not a visa to California. Same with Germany and the Schengen Area, only that Germany has seperate embassies and consulates and California doesn't.

Do I need to take the travel insurance even to apply for the visa ??

You cannot get a visa without insurance. The German embassy and consulates usually have specific insurance companies they work with, ask them before buying the insurance. (I know they usually accept Allianz.)

Normally it works so that you arrange for an interview, submit your application without insurance and then buy the insurance after the interview. If the officer intends to give you the visa s/he will tell you to buy insurance and send in the proof.

But sometimes they will not process the visa application without the insurance, ask at the consulate. You'll need to call them to arrange for the interview, when you got a human on the other side giving you a time and date for your interview ask about insurance.